The woman thought to be the world’s oldest person has passed away at the age of 119.
According to local officials, Kane Tanaka, from Japan, passed away in the city of Fukuoka last Tuesday.
Ms Tanaka was born in 1903 and ran various businesses during her life such as a noodle shop and a rice cake store.
In 2019, she was confirmed to be the world’s oldest living person by the Guinness World Records, making her the second oldest woman to have ever lived following French native Jeanna Celment who died aged 122 in 1997.
Ms Tanaka was due to use a wheelchair to take part in the torch relay at last year’s Tokyo Olympics but was unable to do so as a result of the pandemic.
Paying tribute to Ms Tanaka, local governor Seitaro Hattori said: “I was looking forward to seeing Kane-san on this year’s Respect for the Aged Day (a national holiday in September) and celebrating together with her favorite soda and chocolate.
“I am extremely saddened by the news.”
[Image: Guinness World Records]